Railway signal



Oct. 23, 1928..

c. Z. MILLER RAILWAY SIGNAL Filed Aug. 9-. 1926 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 my,'t?

cg K) 2 Sheets-Shee Oct. 23, 1928.

. C. Z. MILLER RAILWAY SIGNAL F 'iled Aug. 1926 Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES CHARLES Z. MILLER, OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

Application filed August 9, 1926'. Serial No. 158,314.

As is well known, it is usual to provide switches and other similardevices with semaphore signals which usualy contain a light. Thesesignals throw red, green or othercolored light as required by theexigencies of the system. The use of an electric, gas, or other lightis, of course, objectionable on account of expense, installation, upkeepand care required. There is, moreover, always danger of accidentresulting because of the sudden extinguishment of the light from onecause or another.

The purpose of this invention is toprovide railway signals to replaceusual semaphore systems which will eliminate the necessity of the use ofany light. These signals are so constructed that the light from anoncoming engine will be reflected back to the engineer and will becolored according to the posi- 2 tion in which the signal is set. Testshave shown that these signals are visible at a dis tance of a mile andthere is, obviously, no danger of their being extinguished nor is thereany especial cost for upkeep.

The invention comprises the formation of the reflector or the coloredglass in such forms that the reflected light will be diffused somewhatboth laterally and vertically but in a uniform manner for the entiresurface of the reflector.

Other objects of the invention will be a1- parent from the following'detailed description and the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention and of the head light ofan engine showing the maner in which the rays are vertically dispersed.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same elements showing the horizontaldispersion of the horizontal rays of light.

Figure 3 is a partial section through one of the reflecting elements.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the signal with partsbroken away.

Figure 5 is a portion of one of the reflecting elements in slightlydifferent form.

Figure 6 is a cross section of a modification.

There is illustrated in the drawings the usual semaphore standard Amounted on a base B adjacent the track C. There is also shown the headlight of an engine D approaching said signal. Upon the semaphore 55standard A is mounted a support 1 having four frames 2 mounted in rightangular relation. Two of these will be adapted to reflect red light andthe other two green light. In other systems different color lights maybe en'iployed as desired. L

In the modification shown in Figures 51 and 4 there is mounted in theframe 2 a metal reflector 3 having a backing 4 and in front of thereflector is placed a colorcd glass 5) of a particular characterhereinafter described. The casing or frame 2 may be formed of metal suchthat the edge 6 can be bent over on all sides to hold the glass andreflector firmly in place. If desired, as indicated in Figure 3, theother side of the casing may have a reflector 3 and a similar glass notillustrated.

There a colored glass is used as in this form of the device, instead ofusing a plain glass surface, there is employed a glass which has incross section a wavy surface as shown in Figure 3. The wave formationextends in both directions at right angles so that in effect there areformed a number of high points at from which points the glass slopesslightly in all directions.

In the form of the device shown in Figures 5 and 6, the back of thecasing 2 is formed of a reflector 7 which is of a wavy formation similarto that of the glass 5 in the other form of the device. In front of thisreflector is placed a colored glass 8 of plain configuration. The glassmay be held at its edges between backing devices 9 which may easily beformed of ordinary cordage. The edge 10 of the frame or casingis foldedover to hold the glass in proper position.

IVhere the wavy glass 5 is employed, the desired diffusion is obtainedby refraction and where the wavy reflector 7 is used. the dispersion ofthe rays is obtained by reflection. In either case the result ispractically the same and is diagrammatically indicated in Figures 1 and2. In Figure 1 which shows the vertical dispersem'ent obtained, rays Aand B which fall upon a portion of the glass or reflector which issubstantially normal to the incident ray are reflected back insubstantially a direct line. A ray a, however, which falls upon a pointwhich is not normal to the incident ray, will be reflected at a slightangle and will take the position a. Similarly a ray 1) falling on thelower part of the glass or reflector will be reflected back along thepath 6.

Substantially the same action takes place c and d.

By the employment of the particularly formed reflector or glass it isthus evident that a uniform dispersion will be given in both lateral andvertical planes and that a large beam of light will be reflected back inthe direction of the oncoming engine. It has been proven that thesesignals are visible at a great dis' tance and that the light afforded iseven more satisfactory than that given by the usual semaphore lamps. Itis also apparent that in daytime the red and green signals will bevisible in the usual manner.

lVhile I have disclosed the invention in its preferable embodiments, itis obvious that minor changes may be made Without in any way departingfrom the spirit of the invention which is to be regarded as limited onlyby the scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A signal comprising in combination, four casings arranged in pairs atright angles to each other, each pair of the casings being arranged in asingle plane at right angles to the plane of the other pair, a reflectorand a lens mounted on each casing one in front of the other, both lensesof one pair of casings being of identical color, both lenses of theother pair of casings being of identical color but contrasting to thecolor of the lenses of the first mentioned pair, the reflectors andlenses of each pair of casings being located-on the same .side of thecasings, whereby both reflectors and lenses of each pair will be facedin one direction, and means for supporting said casings whereby thelatter may be swung about a common axis to present either pair ofcasings in operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES Z. MILLER.

